Wordless Wednesday: Discovering Joy

 Photos for Wordless Wednesday: Playgrounds Providing Safety and Self Esteem


My One Word: JOY

 I've been so busy lately with lots of Dr. appointments for myself at the beginning of the new year. I was catching up on some reading while sitting in the waiting room and came across an excerpt from Marilyn Meberg that I thought went well with the above photos of our 2-year-old granddaughter (with her hair in her face) playing on the playground at the park.

"I love playful people! People who aren't too sophisticated or too proper to engage in zany antics draw me like a two-year-old to mud.

Sometimes I think we responsible adults assume that being playful might be interpreted as being childish, maybe even silly. Admittedly, nothing is more tragic than an adult who fails to gain the maturity and wisdom necessary to live a productive life. But equally tragic are adults who forget how to vent their play instincts.

The mature person is able to recognize the distinction between the two worlds and choose which world is appropriate for the moment.

Jesus said it's impossible to enter the Kingdom unless we become as little children (Mark 10:15). He seemed to place a high premium on that childlike quality. He reminds us of how preferable it is at times to be childlike."

Recommended for ages for and up. Here's a helpful review:

"As a Kindergarten teacher I make a point to read this book every year to my students, to show them that a scary or seemingly hopeless situation can result in a good friendship with a little perseverance and creativity. I like the fact that the Dad was a good source of support for the child, and that the Dad is shown working outside and inside the house in some non-traditional roles. Buoyed by his father's support, Kevin returns to the playground, always trying new ways to secure a spot on the playground. Children need more tools like this for resolving conflict in a non-violent manner."

King of the Playground

As a grandparent, I am so fortunate to see the children play so well with one another and at their daycare and preschool. Also, they go to story time at the library and have gymnastics, too. Kids just seem to have a natural joy, a happy heart, when it comes to playing with one another... but then there's our selfish nature that we have and the need to learn to share with others and to get along. For now, we are slowly beginning to prepare our grand littles to talk with us about anything, especially the bully on the playground. Life can be a bit hard sometimes and not always fair but hopefully, they will not be bullied but have joy on the playground!


I look forward to hearing about your new one word...

LadyD Books is linking with http://www.acts17verse28.blogspot.com and:

Only A Breath

Create With Joy

Blessings,




















“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Meet Paco the Pup

The So Cal snow melted off the mountain tops and the temps climbed back up the other day. The sunset was golden in color. I just love how the sky can begin looking so pretty in lavender and then show us an amazing grand finale in fiery orange! For more sky connections, visit Skywatch Friday

Today we are bundling up because of a cold front moving in, experiencing frost. Looks like the avocado grove and plants will be hit hard today but I thought the morning sunrise seemed hopeful.

So, my friend Rose at Color Connection was having a giveaway awhile back and I won Paco the Pup! Thanks so much Rose! This adorable soft, cuddly puppy was the perfect gift to share with our grandson on his first day of preschool. This was huge for him and Ryan was so pleased with the gift and excited to meet his teacher and make new friends at school. For now, his favorite color is green.

Do you have memories of putting your children on the school bus or walking them to school on the first day... how about drying a tear or two? They grow so quickly.

On Friday mornings I head over to +Freda Mans and participate in her weekly book meme:
The Friday 56 

This paperback book was at our local book store; looked interesting. Chapter 5 talks of digestive fire.

"Imagine that you are building a fire and that you've already put into it the quantity of wood that the fire can consume within a reasonable period of time. Then, suddenly, someone dumps a truckload of heavy lumber on top of the fire. The fire will most likely be smothered as a result. This dumping of a truckload of wood at the end is analogous to taking a heavy dessert at the end of the meal." --Deepak Chopra, M.D.

I'm thinking that maybe we should eat dessert at the beginning of our meal because it's a new year and the best comes first! Oh, how sweet it is! It's a funny thing how 'ice cream' and animals can bring my grandchildren such joy!

Dog and Cat Car Buy From Art.com

So, when I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, one of my favorite songs as a kiddo, was hearing Miss Patty Page sing, How Much Is That Doggie in the Window. Remember that one? Sweet memories!

 We used to breed Australian Shepherds when the children were little ones and have owned many Aussies. Now that we're older and have lots of grandchildren crawling around the place, we just have the one cat, our Siamese, Jazz. How about you... do you have a pup?

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis